Sandcastles on the Seine

By Danielle Demetriou, Evening Standard

Last updated at 16:57 24 July 2002

It is a city famed for its monuments, galleries and cafés. But Parisians are enjoying their city for another reason this summer, since its riverbanks were transformed into a palm-fringed beach promenade.

More than two miles of the Right Bank of the Seine have been covered in fine white sand, palm trees, sunbeds and parasols in a bid to transform Paris into a beach resort as well as a cultural centre.

The new inner-city beach is encouraging Parisians and tourists to behave in a fashion more associated with St Tropez holidaymakers than city dwellers.

Children can eat icecreams, watch jugglers and make sandcastles while sunworshippers can relax along the normally fume-laden waterside highway that stretches from Notre Dame to the Louvre. Yet the £1 million initiative has had a mixed reception. Even the Socialist mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who masterminded the plan, has described it as 'a bit crazy'.

The 'beach' may become a permanent fixture for Paris's summer months and visitors are able to take part in a host of free sporting activities, ranging from petanque to volley ball.

More than 180 cubic metres of sand were relocated to a stretch near the Pont Neuf and the city hall while the remaining areas were covered in grass.

The quais have been equipped with 300 deckchairs, 150 beach umbrellas, dozens of banners and four guinguettes, the old-time dance cafés that are enjoying a revival in Paris. The road itself has been dedicated to pedestrians, cyclists and rollerbladers, while the sunloungers and beaches are set back from the river.

The site is open to pedestrians from 9.30am to 11pm. One reveller said: 'I think it's great - it makes Paris seem much friendlier.' Others remain unconvinced. Waiter William Le Roy, 23, said: 'Frankly, Paris is not a seaside town. It looks artificial and doesn't fit with the city's image.'

Sunbathers have been forbidden to enter the Seine, which has dangerous currents as well as regular flotillas of tourist boats.

Project designer Jean-Christophe Choblet said: 'The aim of this beach is lazing and strolling by the water. It's not really a beach - we would need more than a thousand lorry loads of sand to cover three kilometres of riverbank.'

Want to go?

Short Breaks are offering two nights at the Holiday Inn, departing 16th August.

The cost of £189 includes Eurostar travel and accommodation with breakfast based on two sharing.